Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-10

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries, paying for things using mobile phone (cellphone) apps is becoming increasingly common. Does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.0)

Digital methods of payments such as mobile phone apps are becoming popular in multiple nations. They have significant advantages such as convenience, security and transparency which outweigh disadvantage like cyber-theft.

One of the significant merits offered by phone payments is convenience. Since people do not carry cash or credit cards everywhere if they can pay through the phone, it enhances their overall shopping experience. Another important advantage is a reduced risk of theft or pick-pocketing. This is because since individuals do not carry large cash amounts, it reduces the chances of loss of money by theft or by pick-pocketing. Furthermore, using digital money reduces corruption at multiple levels as shopkeepers cannot hide their earnings from the government and need to pay taxes on their income which is reflected from their business accounts. This practice prevents black money accumulation and uplifts the society as a whole.

On the contrary, the demerit such as risk of cyber-theft cannot be overlooked as it can put consumers in formidable situations. It is quite common to hear the stories of cyber-fraud by the devious criminals who are coming up with innovative ways to steal money online. When one enters his credit card or bank details on the apps, there is always a risk of data leak which can be misused by hackers to steal the hard earned money of innocent users. Even though many applications promise secure platforms the risk of such incidents cannot be minimized.

In conclusion, although paying through cellular apps has a disadvantage of possible cyber-theft, the advantages offered in terms of convenience, prevention of in-person theft and transparency in business are far more considerable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages of mobile payments outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, particularly the points regarding convenience, security, and the reduction of corruption. The argument is well-supported with clear reasoning, such as the link between digital transactions and tax compliance. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, real-world examples to illustrate the points, such as mentioning a specific country or a common type of mobile payment app to add depth to the discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'On the contrary', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. However, some transitions are slightly repetitive or mechanical, such as the frequent use of 'This is because' and 'Another important advantage'. Improving the variety of linking phrases and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the flow and elevate the score to the next level.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'formidable situations', 'black money accumulation', and 'devious criminals' show an attempt to use less common lexical items. There are occasional minor inaccuracies in collocation or word choice, such as 'uplifts the society' (better as 'benefits society') and 'reflected from their business accounts' (better as 'reflected in'). Overall, the vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication of ideas, though more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions would be required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and the meaning is consistently clear. However, there are some minor errors, such as 'disadvantage like cyber-theft' (should be plural 'disadvantages') and 'the stories of cyber-fraud' (the 'the' is unnecessary here). Additionally, some sentences could be more varied in their structure to demonstrate greater flexibility. While the errors do not impede communication, they are noticeable enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on article usage and pluralization will help improve accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.